Atlas' change of plan creates development opportunities

The corner site is next to Auckland's Southern Motorway.

A 3.5ha block in a prime position alongside State Highway 1 at Bombay south of Auckland offers a number of development possibilities.

The freehold site for sale at 2038 Great South Rd is up for tender, closing on April 11. John Algie of Bayleys Auckland, Ben Bayley of Bayleys Manukau and Peter Migounoff of Bayleys Counties are marketing the property.

Atlas Concrete has owned the property for 10 years and originally bought it with expansion in mind. However, its plan became redundant over time and was dropped.

Algie says the site is suited to a higher-value use given its high profile position next to the Southern Motorway. "Atlas went through the process of obtaining a private plan change but the property is now surplus to the company's requirements. A decision has been made to put the site up for sale."

The triangular site has big frontage to SH1 on its western side and to Great South Rd on the eastern boundary. There is a smaller frontage on to Mill Rd to the north, with Great South Rd and the motorway intersecting at the southern corner of the site.

The property is zoned Motorway and Rural Service Special Zone, which was established via Private Plan Change 36 - Bombay, and its usage rights will remain under the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. The zoning allows for the development of motorway services, including a truck stop, service station and retail outlets such as a fast-food restaurant and other convenience-type businesses as well as rural service outlets.

Algie says strong tenant interest has already been registered.

"This sale provides a rare opportunity to purchase a high-profile site with huge exposure to one of the nation's busiest stretches of motorway and with a special zoning in place that allows for a mix of uses at a relatively intensive level for a semi-rural location," he says. "The adjacent stretch of motorway carries close to 20,000 vehicles each way on average per day and this site is strategically located between other competing motorway service locations."

Ben Bayley points out that Pukekohe is about 9km west and is one of the fastest growing areas in South Auckland. "The area is experiencing substantial population growth as the availability of land and affordability of housing attracts new residents from Auckland and surrounding regions."

Bayley says there's further rapid expansion in Pokeno around 6km south where the Chinese-developed Yashili dairy plant comprising 30,000 sq m of buildings is being built at a cost of more than $210 million. "Upon completion this will employ 120 full- time workers," he says.

"The town's population is set to increase substantially with the Pokeno Village development under way that will cover 400ha and include new residential sections, an employment zone, parks, sports grounds and additional school facilities."

A concept plan divides the site in two, each side of a stream across the middle of the property.

Motorway services would be concentrated on the northern part of the site and the southern area providing for rural services such as cool stores, pack houses and a weigh bridge.

The property is producing short-term income of $26,265 a year from leases on a workshop and a Vodafone telecommunications facility.

"These can be terminated at short notice once development plans are complete," says Algie.

www.bayleys.co.nz/4109001